http://alisonslife-in-the-slow-lane.blogspot.com/ Life in the Slow Lane: MEMORANDUM MONDAY

Monday 25 January 2016

MEMORANDUM MONDAY

Another week gone....how does that happen?!...it means time for a quick roundup of my weekend and to share either something I did for the first time or something new I learned.

First, the weekend roundup: it started with a visit to a Spanish Charity we support (AMADEM), which runs courses for  adults with learning disablities- we had a cheque to present to them and it was there that I learned my something new (which I will share in just a mo)




There was the discovery that a warning light is on in my car and that the speedometer isn't registering anything, followed by some weird and wonderful messages on the electronic dash (in German!), there was some garden-tidying and there was a roast beef lunch with friends. 

Now, what did I learn? ....that these- a special type of spring onions....




are called 'calcots' (pronounced calsots) and that they are grown specially for a Fiesta called  Calcotada...when they are chargrilled en masse and eaten as a starter at a typical Spanish feast.

 The Calcotada Fiesta is held any time from late January into February, and is an early herald to Spring , most particularly in the North of Spain and in many rural areas in our locality.

How have I found out about this?....while at Amadem we were given invitations to THEIR Calcotada on February 28...guess what will be my 'something new' that weekend?

Waving to SIAN and the 'Mondayers'...and of course anyone else who has just dropped by!

15 comments:

  1. They look a lot larger than a typical British spring onion, let us know how they taste!

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  2. New to me too, Alison - they look almost like small leeks. I really enjoy your posts about the culture and happenings around you :).

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  3. A whole festival for a spring onion? Now that is partying! Hope you enjoy it, and well done on the fundraising.

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  4. I like the sound of chargrilled onions. Curious to learn how tasty they are.

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  5. OH, Robbie would like the look of those spring onions! How FUN that you will get to attend a Calcotada!

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  6. I hope you've managed to sort your car out. I bet those onions will taste delicious xx

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  7. sounds a fun festival for spring - have a great week

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  8. I hope the car gets sorted..don't be driving about with those lights on for too long!!

    Now that's a festival that sounds like fun: something new I have learned too

    Have a good week Alison

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  9. I'm curious, too, about how they compare in taste to the "usual" spring onion.

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  10. those onions looked like they would be very strong!

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  11. How interesting that an entire festival is centered around an onion! Not being big on onions myself, I can only imagine...

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  12. That's a fun new fact, and you have a fun new festival to look forward to also.

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  13. They do look rather like small leeks, although I do like the idea of a fiesta based around a spring onion!

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  14. I do love a spring onion. Those look like they would win a gardening competition! Enjoy the Calcotada.

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  15. Looking forward to hearing what you thought of them - just a few more posts to read. :)

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Thanks for leaving a comment....I love reading them all!